Hornets Return to the Carrier Dome
For the second time in less than three weeks your FM Hornets defeated a tough Henniger Black Knight team to win the section 3 semi final game played at CNS. Like a few other games this year, it was a story of two halves. In the first half the Black Knights seemed to have found a weakness in the usually stubborn Hornet defense. The Black Knights were able to move the ball and control the clock, seemingly in an effort to keep the powerful Hornet offense off the field.

The Hornets opened the with a nice drive to the Henniger 5 yard line only to have Ike Bailey’s pass picked off by Calvin Williams in the end-zone who then raced back to the Hornet 25 yard line. Moments later Stephan Gage punched in from the 2. With a successful 2 point conversion, the Black Knights led 8-0.

2 plays later the Hornets scored on an incredible one-handed grab by Zach Aga who motored 63 yards into the end zone and the 2 point conversion tied the score.

Henniger methodically marched down the field using a 6 minute drive to reclaim the lead at 16-8. In stark contrast to the Henniger drive, the Hornets used 16 seconds to score with a Collin Simmons lighting quick 67 yard run. Henniger finished the first half scoring with a fantastic catch by Stephan Gage in the back of the end zone and the Black Knights led 22-16.

The Hornets took the lead in the third quarter with an Ike Bailey to Zach Aga 19-yard scoring pass. Dave Shield converted the point after to give the Hornets a 23-22 lead. Minutes later Sheldon then added to the lead with a 29-yard field goal to finish the scoring and make it 26-22.

The Hornet defense made adjustments at halftime, a constant rotation of D-linemen and more aggressive play by the Hornet linebackers at the line of scrimmage seemed to wear down the Henniger offense. The Black Knights never found any offensive rhythm and for the sixth time this year, the Hornets shut out an opposing team in the second half.

Henniger did make Hornet fans nervous by recovering a fumble deep in their own territory with 3:45 to go in the game. The Black Knights then began to march down the field but Collin Simmons picked off a Tim Rommel 4th and 20 pass intended for Marquis Kirkland icing the game for the Hornets with just over a minute to play.

The Hornets are now a perfect 9-0 and up next is a rematch in the Carrier Dome of last years section 3 title game with the defending state champion and #1 ranked CBA Brothers.